Obituaries for the week of 09.24.09

By Submission For The Southside Times

Juanita Belle (Pack) Fishburn, 77, of Indianapolis, died Sept. 17, 2009. She was born in Streeter, W.Va., on Sept. 18, 1931, to Ethel and Herbert Pack, who preceded her in death. Juanita is survived by brothers Vernon Pack and Randy Ellison; sisters Virgie Shrum, Mary Lou Beatley and Ruby Warren. She was the mother of eight children by husband of 38 years Obie H. Fishburn. Juanita’s children are as follows: Steve (Trina); Alan (Julie); Dennis (Mary); Tim (Carol); Darin (Tessa); David Fishburn; Donna Capps; Delaina (James); 24 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, along with many more. Memorial services were Sept. 21, 2009 at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, with internment immediately following at Washington Park East Cemetery. [ad#single-post] Donald Charles Hafer II, 57, of Indianapolis, passed away Friday, Sept. 18, 2009. He was born March 3, 1952, the son of Donald Charles and Betty Hafer. Don was a fourth-generation gardener with Hafer Brothers Gardens, an established company on the south side of Indianapolis for over 100 years. Don was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ. Don is survived by his wife, Joyce; son, Dax Hafer; daughters, Katie and Jordan Hafer; granddaughter, Ariel; mother, Betty Hafer; brother, Bill (Mel) Hafer; sisters, Cathy (Don) Conrad, Jody (Rick) Glen, and Tina (Dave) Polick; 17 nieces and nephews; and multiple great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Charles Hafer Friends called Wednesday, Sept. 23, at G.H. Herrmann Madison Avenue Funeral Home. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, at the funeral home. Don will be laid to rest in Mt. Pleasant, Glenns Valley. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.ghherrmann.com. Daniel E. Williams, 64, of Indianapolis, died Sept. 14, 2009. Services were held at Legacy Funeral Center at Memorial Park, Indianapolis. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 6100 W. 96th St #200, Indianapolis, IN 46278-6020.

Sautéed Shiitake

By Wendell Fowler

8 oz. shiitake mushrooms, caps only, sliced thin 1/3 cup minced onion shallot 2 tbs. soy sauce 2 tbs. sherry (optional) 2 tbs. olive oil 1 tsp. honey 1 tsp. minced rosemary In a skillet, sauté onion in olive oil over medium heat till glassy. Add shiitake and stir-fry till limp (2-3 minutes). Reduce heat and simmer. Add soy sauce and sherry and continue to sauté for another 2-3 minutes. Add rosemary (or chopped parsley or basil). Stir another minute or two. Continue to sauté till your desired consistency. Add honey at the end.

The mushrooming popularity of fungi

By Wendell Fowler

For thousands of years, the shiitake has been coveted as the premium edible mushroom in Asia, and now America is becoming uber-hip to this fungal bequest of the universe. The Japanese word shiitake means “mushrooms from the shii tree.” Consciously or unconsciously, most everyone has eaten one when plowing through steaming white cartons of Asian carry-out. Don’t call them shiitake mushroom, however, as that would be redundant. To be accurate, simply refer to the ethereal specialty as shiitake. [ad#single-post] Pronounced “shih-TAH-kee,” the distinctive woodsy flavor and firm, meaty texture are a mouth-watering addition to any recipe. The ancient Chinese have been using shiitakes as medicine for thousands of years and believe the shiitake dispelled hunger, treated colds and nourished the circulatory system. The Egyptians considered mushrooms the sons of gods sent to earth riding thunderbolts. For hundreds of years, Germans have used this mushroom to rev up immune function, reduce inflammation, combat allergies and help balance sugar levels and support the Holy Temple’s detoxification mechanisms. Fungi absorb their nutrients from their surrounding environment. Shiitake has no chlorophyll so they cannot make food from sunlight but must live by eating plants or animals. It is the shiitake’s medicinal possibilities that are receiving the worldwide spotlight. Over the last two decades, scientists have isolated substances from shiitake that may play a role in the cure and prevention of heart disease, cancer, viruses, bacteria and AIDS. Shiitakes are brimming with potassium, manganese, iron, copper, niacin and vitamins C, B1, B2, D, A and E, plus they possess essential amino acids, just as meat does. Four average size shiitakes also contain around 10.3 g carbohydrates, 1.5 g fiber, 1.12 g protein, 40 calories and a whooping 17.8 mcg of cancer-preventing selenium. Meaty shiitakes are outstanding food. As a family, discover the earthy, ambrosial flavor and healing mojo of the ancient shiitake. Sautéed Shiitake Serves 4 as a side of wild mushrooms or 6-8 as a delicious topping over steamed vegetables, chicken or turkey. Shiitakes are perfect for beans, grains and rice, stir-fries and pasta dishes, but they also make great sauces for fish and chicken. Pitch them into an omelet or the next batch of homemade soup. Wash them purposefully, remove the inedible stem, and then sliver them rather thinly with a sharp French knife. Cooking releases the distinct flavor, so lightly sauté these heavenly delicacies in olive or peanut oil. Check out Wendell's recipe for Sautéed Shiitake

OrthoIndy/IOH break ground in Greenwood

By Rick Myers

[caption id="attachment_4173" align="alignleft" width="459" caption="The facility seen in this rendering should open in winter 2010."][/caption] John Martin, CEO, OrthoIndy, was all smiles on Tuesday — and with good reason. OrthoIndy and the Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital (IOH) broke ground on a new facility, located at 1260 Innovation Pkwy., (South of County Line, on Graham Road) Greenwood. Spanning 75,000 square feet, the state-of-the-art facility will provide five-star orthopaedic care to residents on the south side of Indianapolis. The facility is scheduled to open winter of 2010. [ad#story-insert-336-x-280] “We are excited to offer more services to our already existing presence on the south side by building a new state-of-the-art facility,” said Martin. “As a member of the community of Greenwood, our new facility will provide residents with orthopaedic care that is nationally ranked.” Greenwood Mayor Charles Henderson told those attending the ceremony that it was great to have OrthoIndy in Greenwood. “The medical field is wide open (here) ... We think this area has some real potential ... We’re excited to have you in Greenwood,” said Henderson. The new facility, OrthoIndy/IOH South, will include 42 exam rooms, four operating rooms, physical therapy and MRI and 21 OrthoIndy physicians providing a complete range of orthopaedic care. BSA LifeStructures designed the facility and Meyer Najem will provide construction management expertise. Hokanson Companies Inc. and McCormack Development will oversee the process to completion. Founded over 40 years ago, OrthoIndy has a staff of more than 70 physicians providing care to central Indiana residents at eleven locations, OrthoIndy provides leading-edge bone, joint, spine and muscle care.

Atypical retirement bash for atypical accountant

By Mike Alexander

It’s one thing to end your working career with a bang, but Larry D. Smith is doing it with a blast. After 34 years, the 61-year-old Smith will retire with a Nov. 10 party in the colossal new football stadium that is home to the Indianapolis Colts — Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis. He is the managing partner of Kelley, Hardesty, Smith & Co. certified public accounting firm, 5240 Elmwood Ave., Beech Grove (near Great Times amusement center). The firm of 13 employees has been in Beech Grove since 1980. [ad#story-insert-336-x-280] The party, however, won’t take place throughout the $627-million stadium. Family, co-workers and friends will toast Smith in the Quarterback Club section. The unusual celebration site was planned by Smith’s partners, Mark D. Scheaffer and Bryan W. Whisler. “It will give our people a chance to see the new stadium,” Smith said. His last day on the job will be Nov. 25. Then he and Susan, his wife of 40 years, will have more time to dance, travel, ride bicycles and play with their 6-year-old granddaughter. The Smiths live in New Palestine. Smith’s other interests include activities in the Franklin Central Christian Church, Indiana Historical Society and Indianapolis Lions Club and playing golf. In appearance, Smith doesn’t fit the introvert accountant mold. Well-dressed, he is an exuberant talker and laughs easily. “You know what they say about introvert accountants, he said laughingly. “The introvert accountant looks down at his own shoes; the extrovert looks down at your shoes.” Smith grew up in Middletown, graduating from the high school there in 1966. He studied accounting at Ball State University, graduating in 1970. He said it’s the people he meets who make the work of accounting fun. His clients include businesses as well as individuals. The fun part, he said, is showing people how to save money in their personal and business goals. “And you do that by building trust, and being fair to people.”

KeyBank launches growth in face of tough climate

By Submission For The Southside Times

By Arika Herron While many businesses are cutting back, KeyBank is flourishing — and focusing heavily on central Indiana communities. Even with the economy lacking certain stability, growth and expansion plans are on the drawing boards. Gary Hentschel, president of the Cleveland, Ohio-based bank’s central Indiana district, said Key is planning its expansion to the tune of 16 new bank branches in central Indiana by 2011, including the new Beech Grove location. When the construction is complete, 50 branches total will call Marion and eight surrounding counties home. [ad#story-insert-336-x-280] “Central Indiana is growing — demographically, economically; it is a growth area,” he said. “If you look at our position in this particular market, we have a good market share. We have roughly a 5-percent market share, which is a good market share, not great. But it is a great position to grow from.” Hentschel said he and bank officials are hoping increased presence will translate into longer roster of customers. Key’s goal is to double its take from the market in four to five years. The initiative not only is designed to attract new customers but also to make Key more convenient to existing customers, he said. “Financial literacy is a mission of KeyBank,” said Dan Davis, vice president and public relations manager for the Great Lakes region. “We pride ourselves on being a relationship bank, not a transactional bank. We like to get to know our customers and understand their financial goals and their needs.” “We have a very strong commitment to this market,” Hentschel said.

Restaurant of the Week

By Lindsay Irwin

Have your kids outgrown Chuckie Cheese and you don’t know where to go for fun, entertainment and great, kid-friendly food? Well, worry no more. America’s Incredible Pizza Company has just what the doctor ordered. Games for kids of all ages? Check. Fun atmosphere that parents can enjoy too? Check. Great food? Double Check. That’s right, everything from the music to the buffet to the go-carts is perfect for families who are looking to do something different for dinner or lunch. [ad#single-post] And what’s for dinner? How about some ooey-gooey, cheesy pizza? Or maybe taking a trip down the one-of-a-kind Homestyle Buffet Bar is more your style. Here you can enjoy making your own hot dog, grab and go from the taco bar or take a bite out of the chicken fingers. The Incredible Pizza Company has something for everyone. It’s time to surprise your kids with something besides a giant talking mouse. Location: 8707 Hardegan St. (at the corner of US 31 and E. County Line Rd.) Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Phone: 644-0153 Web: www.incrediblepizza.org

At Play Calendar for the week of 09.24.09

By Submission For The Southside Times

Card Party • The Ave Maria Guild will host a very special Card Party and Quilt Raffle to benefit the St. Paul Hermitage of Beech Grove. | When: Sept. 24, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Where: Benedict Inn & Retreat Center, 1402 Southern Ave., Beech Grove | Cost: $4 donation | Info: Call 885-5098 for more information. Petite Paws Rescue • The Indiana Petite Paws Rescue Angles Benefit will donate 25 percent of all sales to assist in preventing animal cruelty and changing the laws to allow rescue of any companion dogs. | When: Sept. 26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Where: Noodles and Company, 7853 S. US 31 at Shelby St. | Info: Call Michelle Jones at 412-0126 for more information. [ad#single-post] Joshua’s Vision • Joshua’s Vision will be performing at Greenwood First Baptist Church to benefit the World Mission Offering. | When: Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. | Where: Greenwood Baptist Church, 99 W. Main Street, Greenwood | Cost: Free | Info: Call 881-2064 for more information. Hogs for Dogs and Kitties Too • Rev up your motorcycle or engine of choice and sign up for the 1st Annual Hogs for Dogs and Kitties Too bike ride. The Proceeds will benefit various animal shelters in Indiana. | When: Oct. 3 at 8 a.m. | Where: Will depart at 10 a.m., Hogans | Cost: $25 couple/$15 single | Info: Call Denise Bell at 370-1782 for more information. Relax for a Cause • Enjoy a day at the spa, eat lunch and do it all for a good cause. Proceeds will benefit the Sisters of St. Benedict, Our Lady of Grace Monastery. | When: Register before Oct. 10 | Where: The Benedict Inn Retreat & Conference Center, 1402 Southern Ave., Beech Grove | Cost: $100 for the spa treatments and lunch | Info: Call 788-7581 for more information. Fish Fry • St. John’s United Church of Christ is hosting a community fish fry featuring some of the yummiest Alaskan white fish, hot dogs, baked beans, slaw and potato salad around. | When: Sept. 25, 11 a.m.-2p.m. and 4-7 p.m., and Sept. 26, 11a.m.-5p.m. | Where: St. John’s United Church of Christ, US 31 and Southport Road | Info: Call 881-2353 for more information. Book Discussion • The Southport Evening Book Discussion will be over the Sue miller novel, “The Senator’s Wife.” | When: Sept. 28 at 7p.m. | Where: The Southport Branch Public Library | Cost: Free | Info: Call 275-4510 for more information. Rummage Sale and Bake Sale • The Ascension Lutheran Church is hosting a large public rummage sale where you can purchase anything, clothing to furniture. | When: Sept. 26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Where: The Ascension Lutheran Church, 602 South 9th Ave., Beech Grove | Cost: Varies. Booth Space • The Rosedale Hills United Methodist Church is holding their annual craft fair and still has a few spaces to fill. The craft fair is to be held Oct. 17, so be sure to call to get your booth before they’re all filled. | When: Call before Oct. 17 | Where: the Rosedale Hills United Methodist Church | Cost: $30 for one booth | Info: Call 786-6474 for more information. Out to Lunch Brunch • The Out to Lunch Bunch will have guest speaker Jane Pitt at this month’s meeting. | When: Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. | Where: Jonathan Byrd’s Cafeteria, I-65 South at Main Street, Greenwood | Cost: Free | Info: Call 987-6368 for more information. Hockey Sign-Ups • Youth Hockey Sign-Up’s are for kids ages 4-14 and at any experience level. | When: Sept. 26, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Where: The Perry Park Ice Rink, 451 E. Stop 11 Rd. | Info: Call Jason Semmler at 908-2296 for more information. Winter B-Ball and Soccer Sign-Ups • The Gathering Place at Community Church of Greenwood invites boys and girls ages 5-14 to sign up for Youth Basketball or Youth Indoor Soccer. Each player receives a jersey or shirt. | When: Oct. 1 | Where: The Gathering Place at Community Church of Greenwood, 1495 W. Main Street, Greenwood | Cost: $45 | Info: Log on to www.thegponline.org for more information.

What’s the point of being good at pressing buttons?

By Mike Redmond

Among the things I just don’t get — and that’s a list that grows every day — is video game rock stardom. It’s been kind of difficult to avoid lately, what with the release of The Beatles Rock Band game, the one where you get to play along with John, Paul, George and My Close Personal Friend Ringo* at various stages of The Beatles’ career. [ad#single-post] (*Not really. That’s a joke from my music critic days. Ringo called me to do an interview. I answered the phone and he said, “Hello, Mike. This is Ringo.” “Ringo who?” said I. He didn’t think it was funny.) Now that I think about, I really don’t get video games, period. That doesn’t mean I disapprove. If, for example, my brother — who lives in Pennsylvania now, having worn out his welcome in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio — chooses to spend his entire visit to his home state by camping in our sister’s basement to play Let’s Pretend To Be Soldiers And Shoot Each Other, that’s his choice. It’s just not something I would choose for myself, seeing as how I have a life, and how I stopped playing Army a long time ago. But back to this rock band thing. It’s fun to pretend to be a Beatle — I did my share of it as a kid — but I find myself agreeing with Bill Wyman, former bass player for The Rolling Stones, and Nick Mason, drummer for Pink Floyd, who expressed some concern about Rock Band in an interview with the BBC: “It encourages kids not to learn, that’s the trouble,” said Wyman. “It makes less and less people dedicated to really get down and learn an instrument. I think is a pity so I’m not really keen on that kind of stuff.” Added Mason: “It irritates me having watched my kids do it — if they spent as much time practicing the guitar as learning how to press the buttons they’d be damn good by now.” Not to pick on my brother — well, actually, I am, but as I said, he’s in Pennsylvania, so it’s not like he can do much to stop me — this is like when P.D. got all whacked out about a computer flight simulator. Played it night and day. He worked his way up from flying small personal aircraft to piloting jumbo jets — on the computer. But when I’d ask him why he didn’t take this diligence and apply it to real flying lessons, he shrugged his shoulders and mumbled, which is P.D. for “I dunno.” I’ve been playing guitar since I was about 10. One of the things I love most is that I’m still learning the instrument. Guitars have a lot of secrets and for most of us, they give them up grudgingly. That’s what keeps me playing — the chance that I’ll uncover more secrets. But that takes work and dedication, qualities that are in diminishing supply these days. It’s easier to get a computer game and play make-believe. Why go to all the trouble of learning a skill when you can just pretend? Oh well. As I said, I don’t get it, which is good. Those video games, I am told, can be addictive, and the last thing I need is an addiction to something that keeps me connected to fantasy for days at a time. I may not get video games, but neither can they get me.

Give Kanye a break

By Kevin Kane

Rapper Kanye West has been the butt of everyone’s jokes for the past two weeks after he interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards. In case you’re among the nine people who didn’t see or hear about this, West climbed up on stage, took the microphone from Swift’s hands and essentially proclaimed that she didn’t deserve the award because “Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time.” Nearly everyone who’s seen the outburst has taken the opportunity to make fun of West. Justin Timberlake, Saturday Night Live and even Barack Obama are among the many to take shots at him. One joke labeled as “breaking news” circulated over the Internet last week and claimed that West had just interrupted Patrick Swayze’s funeral to say that Michael Jackson’s service was, of course, one of the best of all time. [ad#single-post] So despite his many awards, hit singles and high-selling albums, West now finds himself in America’s doghouse, doing his time as the public’s punching bag until someone else does something dumb and makes the VMAs old news. But I would like to enter a plea of insanity on Mr. West’s behalf. He’s clearly insane — so insane, in fact, that I’m surprised we didn’t catch it earlier. What’s that? You don’t think he’s insane? Look at his hair and say that with a straight face. The man practically has a maze shaved on his scalp. Technically, it’s a collection of random squares, circles and squiggles. The lines are neatly cut; I’ll give him that. But designs like that are best suited for Aztec ruins, kindergarten art class and ‘80s-style pants — not your head. Considering his current hair and recent antics, it’s almost as if Kanye’s been crying out to the public and trying to disclose his insanity. But as we shrugged each outburst, he simply became more extreme, subconsciously hoping we’d eventually take notice. He started off subtly in interviews. First he’d say that he was the best rapper in “the game.” Then he bumped it up to world’s greatest musician. But when we mistook those remarks for mere arrogance, he anointed himself a creative genius, surely implying all the stereotypes regarding mental illness associated with that title. He could have remained true to crazy genius form and simply cut his ear off. That would have got our attention immediately. But he didn’t, and we went along thinking he’s just incredibly cocky and obnoxious — but not crazy. And that’s why no one seemed to care when he jumped up on stage at the European version of the VMAs in 2006. That time, he insisted the host was joking when his name wasn’t called for best male video. He angrily added that the award show would lose its credibility if his video didn’t win because it cost a million dollars and co-starred Pam Anderson. Seriously. He’s frequently stated that he sees music. He was arrested at LAX for destroying a tabloid photographer’s camera and delayed his own concert in ’07 to say that the Dixie Chicks unfairly won a Grammy for song of the year. What did Kanye think should have won? Crazy, by Gnarls Barkley, coincidentally. Since his on-air criticism of President Bush after Hurricane Katrina, West has consistently made a fool of himself with increasingly stupid antics. But I believe those were all a result of his clear-cut insanity, his inner crazy crying out to expose the truth that his extreme ego keeps contained. It’s over though, Kanye. Now we know — you’re totally nuts. But you’re also a creative genius, and because of that we shouldn’t expect complete sanity from you. It would take away from your brilliance. Personally, I’m not sure it takes a creative genius to cut up and rework a Chaka Khan song or add a new drum beat to “I Want You Back.” I would guess most 9th graders could do that with the right software. But I’ll take your word for it, Kanye, because I’m not as smart as you. None of us are. We’re not on your level, and we don’t know what you’re going through. We’ll never know what it’s like to be a musical Einstein searching for balance between the real world and the musical “visions” running wild in your head. We misjudged you, Kanye. We thought you were just a jerk, but it turns out you’re a crazy jerk. You didn’t deserve the backlash you received. Forget Taylor Swift; you’re the real victim here. So, on behalf of me and my fellow mortals, I would like to issue you an apology for criticizing your actions at the VMAs. We were set on ruining your career, but now we know better. A zig-zag-haired genius like yourself clearly can’t be held accountable for his actions.